A Woman’s Worth

To all my single ladies.  First let me assure you that there is nothing wrong with you.  Being single is

a sign of strength.  Blessed is she who is able to learn to live alone, to get to know herself, to be able to take care of herself and to love herself.  Knowing your worth is the prerequisite to having a healthy relationship.  You must know your worth and set standards for a man to show he is worthy of your consideration. 

Knowing your worth means that you don’t go chasing after anyone.  Your mere presence will draw potential mates like flies.  But we have to brush away the flies to allow the real prize access.  Now, giving access does NOT mean access to the gold between your thighs.   Hold off on that.  Allow access to your innermost thoughts and desires.  Allow access to your scars and wounds.  Then allow access to your heart.  He, in turn will follow your lead. 

You (and me too) We are Worthy of being treated as the Queens that we are.  But first We must release our Inner Queen.  Exude an aura of royalty and your King shall come!

Be Encouraged. and Blessed my Sisters

5 Reasons Why Every Woman Should Travel Alone at Least Once

In contrast of being founder and organizer for the Globe Trotting Divas of Philadelphia Travel Club, one of Philadelphia’s most active Women’s Only Travel Clubs where group travel is our focus, after taking my first trip to Jamaica alone in September 2016, I attest that every female traveler should try traveling alone at least once.

It was Negril, Jamaica I traveled to and stayed for 6 days @ Riu Negril All-Inclusive Resort. Before arriving I had conducted in depth research and created a well thought out itinerary of how I would spend my time and navigate throughout the island. I felt perfectly safe but I should also note that this trip to Jamaica would make my 7^th visit but first time traveling to the island alone. After my return home I felt renewed, restored and ready for my next solo vacation. 

Here’s why woman should experience solo travel at least once…

Over Come Fear

Traveling alone affords the opportunity to overcome fear. If your biggest fear of traveling alone is safety in depth research of your host destination is the obvious. But upon arrival apply common sense during your journey. After all, there are some places right in your current place of residence that you know not to be at after a certain hour. Will the same not apply while traveling? Familiarize yourself with the laws of the country you’ll be visiting as well.

Another fear you’ll overcome is the fear of speaking with strangers. My oh my I quickly became used to speaking with and holding great conversations with great people that once appeared as total strangers!

Build Your Own Schedule

Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE group travel! But traveling alone allows you to be on your own schedule. Sightsee at your leisure, sleeping in or rise with the sunset, hang out with locals without your friends asking more questions than the FBI. Whatever it may be the choice if yours and no confirmation is needed.  

Recreate Yourself  

The most important moment you’ll have while traveling solo is the opportunity to regroup, rethink and recreate yourself. While traveling solo in Negril I took a day to inhale new thoughts and clear my mind and reflect on things that required my attention.  I was at a peace of mind and took the day to write out my thoughts, plans and reflections on life. 

You’ll Meet New People

Go ahead and book without your friends! You’ll meet new people along your journey. During my trip I met lots of wonderful people from all over the world that were visiting Jamaica during the time I was. I danced, took a tour and ate lunch with complete strangers.  And later those strangers became friends whom I still connect with. For someone like myself who can be extremely shy being social with strangers certainly caused me to come out of my shell and the one thing I discovered was that it’s OK! 

You’ll Build Self Confidence

Traveling solo will help build your self-confidence.  It pushes you to dismiss the limits you set for yourself. You’ll find that zip lining brings out the adventure side you’ve kept bottled up and that eating snails isn’t so bad after all and traveling through the city alone without your friends or significant other is actually a great idea because you can sightsee at your leisure. Even more, you’ll discover that you can’t wait to do it all again!

Have you traveled solo? What was your experience? What would you like to add?

Anitra Byers

Travel Professional/Travel Blogger

Wallet Happy Vacations

The Globe Trotting Divas of Philadelphia

5 Reasons to Start a Blog

5 Reasons To Start A Blog

I began blogging in 2006 – way before it became poplar.  I started blogging at that time because I had some family members who were running for political offices and, I think we all used that as part of our grieving process.  I blogged about issues in our communities, the political process, etc.

Then I started blogging about other issues that concerned or interested me.

Over the years I’ve learned that blogging is a great marketing tool for any business.  Businesses that have a blog and consistently and effectively write informational posts about their area of interest or expertise gain more exposure and attract more clients.  

The best part of blogging is that you can actually turn it into your website! 

Here are 5 reasons why you may want to start a blog.

·         MAKE A DIFFERENCE

·         MARKET OR PROMOTE SOMETHING

·         ESTABLISH YOURSELF AS AN EXPERT

·         CONNECT WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE

·         INSPIRE OTHERS

Interested in learning more?   Send me an email authoresskendallhayes@yahoo.com for your free consultation.

The Benefits of Being Part of a Travel Club

Why Join a Travel Club?

If you’re like me, you’ve heard all kinds of excuses when family and friends turn down a vacation invite. From the distance of the destination to the expense, I can’t keep up with the reasons why people put off traveling.  But, after having to put off another trip in 2010 because friends & family had backed out, I decided to start my own travel club. Travel clubs are the ultimate way of meeting new people and exploring destinations you once put off because you had no one to travel with. Joining a travel club opens doors one would have never thought could open!

Detailed below are my top 3 reasons I feel travel clubs not only keeps your travel flame lit, but being a member of a travel club also says you NEVER have to put off traveling again because those you know don’t want to go!

Locate Like Minded Travelers

Being a member of a travel club you’ll meet other like-minded travelers who are ready to see the world just like you are. You’ll find that many travel club members share common interest making it an even more valuable experience. Many clubs offer social events where you can meet local club members before traveling together. This is one way you can actually locate a roommate for your trip.  Often, travel clubs offer roommate placement but even if you decide to room at single occupancy you are still traveling with a group of like-minded travelers who are ready to explore the world.

Experience places you never thought you’d go.

Travel clubs open doors for endless travel opportunities. Many people seek to fulfill their bucket list while being club members. After all, the only reason they joined was to travel, right? Being a member is where you’ll discover your interest for South Africa, Costa Rica or the Maldives if it hasn’t already landed on your bucket list.  These may also be places you’ve always turned down because you just couldn’t picture yourself being there alone.

Endless Travel Opportunities

As I’ve already mentioned, the opportunity to travel is off limits when you’re a member of a travel club! While you may not always be available to travel with your club, there are always other travel options covering a host of destinations that you can choose from when it is convenient for you. 

Next time you have the travel bug but your friends are full of excuses, don’t cancel your trip. Find a travel club and join in on the fun of exploring the world!  

Choosing the Right Travel Club

When it comes to choosing the right travel club, options are plentiful. With that, there are some things to consider before you sought out to join a club you’ll eventually be traveling with. Many clubs have requirements that are restrictive to such categories as age, gender and geographical location. There are also clubs that require a financial responsibility and application process before joining.

Listed below are some of the most popular travel club types that are available today.

Women or Men only Travel Club

This type of club is restrictive to gender. It is either a women OR men’s only club. There are some clubs who also have age and geographical restrictions. These types of travel clubs are generally open to traveling worldwide offering a host of group travel events annually.

Age Restrictive Travel Club

It is just that. You must meet the age requirements in order to join the club. Just like a Women or Men’s only club, Age Restrictive Travel Clubs generally travel worldwide annually.

Cruisers Only Travel Club

This type of Travel Club attracts travelers who love all things by way of cruise ships! 99% of travel events offered by Cruise Only Travel Clubs take place on a cruise ship. If you like cruises consider joining this type of club or starting your own!

Events Travel Club

Like Soul Beach Music Festival in Aruba? How about the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans? If you enjoy traveling around the world to various major music events and festivals DO find an Events Travel Club!

Food & Wine Travel Club

Then there are clubs where you can eat your way around the globe and feel a nice little buzz on the way! Food & Wine Travel Clubs are very popular and attract foodies and wine enthusiast alike. Interested in Napa Valley, South Africa’s Wine Trail or Touring Italy for that perfect vino and cheese pair? A Food & Wine Travel Club is calling YOU!

If you are in the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware areas, I invite you to join The Globe Trotting Divas of Philadelphia Travel Club. We are dedicated to women travelers ages 30 - 60 who do not want to travel alone and appreciate the group travel setting.  

Now that you have options, it’s ok to leave family and friends home with their excuses!

Join a travel club. Plan the trip. Then book and go! 

Anitra Byers

Travel Professional

Wallet Happy Vacations

The Globe Trotting Divas of Philadelphia

215.200.8311

anitra@wallethappyvacations.com

gtdofphila@gmail.com

Happy 4/20

GROW HOUSE

This movie is some MFBS!

Produced by Snoop THE WEED KING Doggy Dog, THEY ARE LETTING YOUR DUMB ASSES KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH COUNTLESS  NUMBERS OF OUR BLACK MEN HAVE BEEN DEMONIZED AND INCARCERATED FOR SELLING THIS NOW LEGALLY INDUSTRIALIZED  PRODUCT, YOU MAY NOT EXERCISE YOUR DEMONSTRATED ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS TO HELP YOU PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILIES NOW THAT IT IS LEGAL TO DO SO.  EVEN IF YOU ARE THE WEED KING OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY, THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS MAKE  A DAMN MOVIE ABOUT IT!
#WAKEUP

Two stoners who are overwhelmed with debt decide to break into the medical marijuana business. However, they need to learn how to grow it since they're already experts at smoking II

https://instagram.com/p/BTHNairgQOO/

The search continues!!!  We are still moving forward!!!  We now have 2 venues in philly looking at 1 in Delaware so we are actually prepared for 3 productions!!!  As GOD would have it I have decided to have the first production at a church!  Dropped my grand daughter off at Dance the other day.  About an hour later I get a call from the church Pastor saying he was returning a call for someone who wanted dance rehearsal space.  At first I said you have the wrong number but added that I was looking for space to have a play.  What was a wrong number turned out to be a blessing in disguise!!!!
THIS IS HOW I KNOW GOD IS IN IT!!!  He would NOT let this move forward until all baggage was dropped!  Sometimes you gotta follow your gut,  do what the Holy Spirit dictates and watch things happen!

I am hoping that I only need one more casting call to fill roles but I have 2 scheduled.

Please share if you know someone who may be interested in auditioning!

Thank you for your support!

http://authoresskendallhayes.blogspot.com/2017/02/open-casting-call.html?m=1

Travel Tips. From Check In to Carry On.

It’s finally here! Vacation is only 7 days away and the excitement has you overly pumped before the nagging thought of packing comes to mind. From what to pack to which size luggage to pack your items in, all races through your head like NASCAR. And no matter what your goal is to avoid check baggage fees and carry on your luggage but it seems impossible since you’ve now packed your entire Spring, Summer and Winter wardrobes. 

Many times we’re so excited about traveling and landing some place we’ve never been that we actually pack as if we’re not coming back home! I know I’ve been guilty of this in the past. Below I’ve shared some tips and suggestions on how to pack light by only bringing items and clothing you will actually need while traveling. If you lighten your bag by packing only the essentials, you can save $50 or more per round trip flight!

Where Are You Going and for How LONG?

Ding! Ding! Ding! The magic question! Pack your bags according to your length of stay. For instance, a 4 day/3 night getaway should not warrant for 15 rounds of changing clothes. My gosh not even at the Grammies do they change that much! Chances are you’ll only need about 2 pairs of slacks/pants, 4 shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 dress that you can dress up or down and 2 pairs of footwear; 1 pair for day and the other at night. And don’t be afraid to bring along laundry detergent.

Apply The Shirt to Pants Rule

Reminder the Shirt to Pants Rule? The rule says this: for every 1 pair of slacks or pants you should have 2 dress shirts or 2 blouses to make it appear as if you have 2 different outfits. Well that same rule applies for traveling! This rule can also be applied when packing footwear. And don’t be ashamed to bring your favorite pair of sneakers or shoes. If they fall apart while traveling, at least that’s one less item to bring back. Or, you can always use that as the perfect excuse to buy another pair while on your journey! Remember your goal is to avoid checked baggage fees by packing smarter.

Footwear in Bag First

There was a time where I would throw my footwear on top of the clothes I put in my luggage and wondered why it would never close or would appear bulky. Later, I discovered that if I placed my footwear in a draw string bag and then place them in my luggage it would afford more space and wouldn’t appear bulky. Place your footwear in a plastic bag first then into your luggage. This alone illuminates that bulky look and gives more packing room.

Packing Cubes

By far the Packing Cube is a traveler’s best friend next to visiting the island of Jamaica! Packing Cubes come in packages that offer various sizes for your travel needs. You can pack all clothing items in one bag and footwear in another. It saves time, money and space. 

HEALTHY HAIR AND SCALP IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL

I’ve been wearing wigs lately.  They are convenient especially when your natural hair is at an awkward in-between stage of going from short back to long.  Wigs also allow your hair to rest from the things we put on it.  Just remember, when wearing wigs, you still need to care for your natural hair.  Just want to share a few of my remedies.

COD LIVER OIL – How many of you had grandmothers who used this as a remedy for damn near any ailment they had?  I know mines did.  Including hair treatment.  My grandmother would rub Cod Liver Oil on her hair once per week.  Then she would put a stocking over the hair brush and brush her hair for about 15 minutes.  She had the most beautiful head of hair. 

This oil can also be used for hot oil treatments.

Now, scientist and studies are showing what our grandmothers already knew.  Cod Liver Oil is high in vitamins A and D while promoting healthy hair and scalp.

BRAID YOUR NATURAL HAIR – The “Wig Lady” that I go do wears wigs everyday.  She is also a licensed cosmetologist.  Tell me why she does not braid her natural hair?  Now it so matted that it must be cut down.  Wigs look nice, but you natural hair needs to be cared for.

MASSAGE YOUR SCALP – There is nothing like a good scalp massage!  Not scratching the scalp, but massaging it.  It is better when someone else massages your scalp, but you can do it yourself.  For best results, start at the forehead and work your way down to the nape of your neck.  You can also purchase a scalp massager.  Not only does this promote hair growth, it’s also good for the soul!

I hope you enjoyed this little tid bit!

Peace and Love!

Authoress Kendall Hayes